Seattle's interim police chief has come under scrutiny for referring to known gun violence suspects as "trigger pullers" during a news conference addressing a spate of shootings over Labor Day weekend. Three people were killed and three others were injured in three separate incidents within a 24-hour period.
Interim Chief Andre Sayles stated that the Seattle Police Department was increasing patrols and deploying its gun violence reduction unit as part of a proactive strategy. "We’re looking at ways to where we can identify individuals that are known, we call trigger pullers, in our community," Sayles said on September 7. "Identifying them, making sure that we’re putting cases on those individuals working with King County Prosecutor’s Office, to bring these individuals to justice."
The term "trigger pullers" has drawn criticism from local commentators who argue it softens the language used to describe violent offenders. Radio host Ari Hoffman questioned the shift in terminology on social media, asking, "So in Seattle we aren’t calling them ‘shooters’ anymore? Now they are ‘trigger pullers’?"
The phrase is not new to law enforcement circles. In 2022, then-FBI Director Christopher Wray used the term when addressing violent crime, stating, "Whether it’s a community where a disproportionate amount of gun violence takes place or rival gangs wreaking havoc in a particular region or a handful of well-known trigger pullers who keep finding their way back to the streets, no matter how many times they’re arrested, at the FBI, we want to be your integral partner in the fight against violent crime."
Sayles indicated that investigators did not believe the three shootings were connected and that none appeared to be linked to a previous shooting at the Bite of Seattle festival. The first shooting occurred early Sunday near Denny Way and Clay Street, where a fight escalated into gunfire, killing a 20-year-old man and injuring two others. Approximately an hour later, a 23-year-old woman was fatally wounded when shots were fired into a vehicle near Third Avenue and Blanchard Street. Before midnight, a third incident near Elliott Avenue and Bell Street resulted in the death of a 17-year-old and serious injury to a 21-year-old.
As of Sayles' remarks, no arrests had been made in connection with the shootings. Investigators were reviewing witness accounts and surveillance footage, with hundreds of hours of video being examined in one case. Sayles also acknowledged concerns about potential strains on police resources due to the weekend's events, including street takeovers, stating that he would assess staffing numbers to ensure officers are not overwhelmed.
Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson offered condolences to the victims' families. The Seattle Police Department is seeking tips, photos, and videos from the public to aid in the investigations.